Tabcorp drops support for Rosehill's $7.5million Golden Eagle

Racing NSW is on a war footing with its Victorian counterpart and its biggest supporter after Tabcorp pulled its sponsorship for next year’s inaugural $7.5 million Golden Eagle.

Tabcorp was expected to be the major backer for the new race, for four-year-olds and to be held at Rosehill Gardens next spring, but had not signed a contract. It informed Racing NSW of its decision not to sponsor the race on Monday.

Raised eyebrows: Tabcorp's decision to withdraw support came as a surprise to Peter V’landys.Credit:Wolter Peeters

Tabcorp’s decision prompted a fierce response from Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys about the future of the race, which is due to be run on Victoria Derby day, November 2, next year.

“This is unprecedented but I’m confident the race will go ahead with another sponsor,” V’landys said. ‘‘We are already talking to different sponsors.’’

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However, he saved his most cutting remarks for Tabcorp. “Tabcorp is a national company and not a Victorian company and we have strong relationships with them. They should be concerned [this decision] doesn’t destroy them,’’ he said. ‘‘We are continuing to work through a process and I think in a couple of days we will have a result.’’

There are strong links between NSW racing and Tabcorp including an exclusivity agreement that has Tabcorp as only betting company that can be a sponsor on NSW racecourses.

‘‘We cannot comment on commercial negotiations,’’ a Tabcorp spokesman told the Herald on Monday.V'landys pointed the finger directly at Victorian racing officials over the Tabcorp decision, alleging they had used influence on the company.

Racing Victoria put up the shutters yesterday. ‘‘It’s a commercial matter between Tabcorp and Racing and thus not something we intend to comment on," Racing Victoria's spokesman Shaun Kelly told the Herald.

The Victoria Racing Club said through a spokesman: ‘‘The commercial arrangements between Tabcorp and Racing NSW are matters for them.’’

The Australian Turf Club, which will run the race at Rosehill, declined to comment, saying the matter was one for Racing NSW.

The concept of a $7.5m race on Victoria Derby day clearly rattled the VRC, which issued a statement openly attacking the Golden Eagle last week.

“What I find baffling, is the seeming lack of understanding of the importance of this as evidenced by recent decisions of RNSW – the lack of understanding of the importance of racing patterns and the rhythm of the calendar for all participants," VRC chairwoman Amanda Elliott said.

“Nothing about the conduct of those north of the border suggests that they have any interest whatsoever in the bigger picture.

“Throwing money at ‘initiatives’ in an isolated parochial way, with no sense of respect nor apparent interest in any impact to these crucial foundations and drivers of our industry, seems foreign to us at the VRC."

VRC chief executive Neil Wilson added: “The VRC supports local innovation and appreciates from time to time there are initiatives that push the jurisdiction boundaries, however there is a threshold, and we do not support ongoing potentially destructive agendas that have no regard for the broader impacts and the national responsibilities we all have."